Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister and I visited Bantry after the devastating flood last year. We are both well aware of the torment the town faced at that time.

The reality is that interventions cannot come soon enough for Bantry. The flood risk management plan was launched in May 2018 and includes a recommendation to progress the project-level development and planning of a flood defence scheme for the town. A steering group comprising representatives of the Office of Public Works and Cork County Council is in place to progress the Bantry flood relief scheme. The scheme will protect approximately 198 properties when completed. On 11 March 2021, Cork County Council, in partnership with the Office of Public Works, issued tender documentation for the procurement of engineering consultants via e-tenders. Tenders were received on 30 July 2021.

An assessment of these tenders has been completed and it is expected that consultants will be appointed in the coming weeks. Once consultants are appointed to progress the flood relief scheme for Bantry, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the public, will take place in the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to make an input into the development of the scheme. In the meantime, Cork County Council has engaged a contractor to treat some of the invasive species in preparation for any flood relief scheme that will be undertaken in the town.

The flood relief scheme will be funded from the initial allocated €1 billion for flood risk management over the period of the National Development Plan 2018-2027. Provision for the cost of the scheme is included in the multi-annual capital allocation for the Office of Public Works, OPW, from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Cork County Council has also commenced the preparation of the consultants' brief to carry out the repair and the reconstruction of the Main Street culvert, which has been identified as a significant element contributing to the flooding on Main Street, New Street and north and south of Wolfe Tone Square in recent months. The OPW is liaising with Cork County Council on the integration of these works with the flood relief scheme for the town. In March 2021, an application under the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme for interim works to mitigate flooding in Bantry, which includes installation of non-return valves. I will continue my response shortly because there is other material the Deputy might find beneficial.

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